Breaking News

Todd Helton puts on show, but Rockies fall to heavy-hitting Arizona at Coors Field

It seemed like old times at Coors Field Sunday afternoon — a ton of hits, a lot of Todd Helton and plenty of bad pitching.

The Diamondbacks launched 19 hits to beat the Rockies 13-9. The D-Backs bit starter Juan Nicasio early and often, chasing him off the hill with just one out recorded in the third inning.

But no pitcher was left unscathed Sunday. Arizona pitchers also were scorched for 19 hits, with the Rockies scoring four runs in the ninth as storm clouds rolled in.

Todd Helton, left, who is retiring after 17 seasons with the Rockies, talks with Arizona first base coach Steve Sax. More photos. (David Zalubowski, The Associated Press)

The Helton farewell tour drew numerous standing ovations during his 3-for-5, four-RBI day. The Rockies' iconic first baseman was showered with cheers every time he came to the plate. Those cheers turned to thunder when he hit a leadoff double in the fourth and came around to score the Rockies' first run. The thunder grew louder when Helton lashed a two-run double down the right-field line in the fifth. And louder still when he looped a two-run, opposite-field single left in the ninth.

"It was one of those good days at the plate," Helton said. "I struck out my first time up and I was thinking this was one of those days when I should have taken the day off. But the finish line is in sight, so it feels good to go out and play hard and compete."

With five games remaining in his 17-year career, the 40-year-old Helton keeps climbing the charts. He now has 1,402 career RBIs and is just four extra-base hits shy of 1,000. He has only two home games remaining, on Tuesday and Wednesday night against the Red Sox.

Helton appreciates the ovations he's receiving as his career winds down, even if he's not quite sure how to respond.

"It's great, but I really don't know what to do," he said. "I want to get in there and get ready to hit, but I realize what fans are doing."

Right fielder Michael Cuddyer, back from a three-game absence because of a twisted left wrist, went 3-for-5 and regained the lead for the National League batting title. Cuddyer is hitting .334, overtaking the Braves' Chris Johnson, who went 0-for-4 Sunday, falling to .329.

"He wanted back in there, though he probably could have used another day (off) ," manager Walt Weiss said. "But that didn't surprise me. Cuddy wanted back in there as soon as possible. True to form he goes out and gets three hits."

Nicasio, meanwhile, is limping to the finish line. With his fastball malfunctioning again, he was gone after 2.1 innings, tied for his shortest start of the season. The Diamondbacks bashed him for seven runs on seven hits, leaving Nicasio's ERA at 5.32. In four September starts, his ERA is an unsightly 9.56.

Arizona shortstop Chris Owings, left, applies the tag to put out the Rockies' DJ LeMahieu on he tried to steal second base in the first inning at Coors Field. More photos. (David Zalubowski, The Associated Press)

Nicasio's fastball location has been off and the velocity down, perhaps signs of fatigue. After his last start, manager Walt Weiss said Nicasio appeared to be "grinding."

"He's leaving a lot of balls up and he's struggled the last couple of outings," Weiss said. "He's missed a lot of time the last couple of years. ... I think with the time he has missed the last couple of year, this is a heavy workload for him."

The second inning provided a prime example of what's gone wrong. Aaron Hill led off with a single to left and then Miguel Montero drew a walk, setting the stage for a big inning. Nicasio managed to strike out Matt Davidson before giving up back-to-back doubles to Gerardo Parra and Chris Ownings. By the time Nicasio trudged off the mound, the Diamondbacks led 4-0.

Chad Bettis, a possibility as either a starter or late-game reliever next season, had a rough ninth inning. He surrendered five runs in one-third of an inning, the big blow a three-run homer by Matt Davidson.

At 71-86, the Rockies are 15 games under .500. They must win at least two of their remaining five games to avoid their second consecutive 90-loss season.

Missy Franklin, Jenny Simpson, Adeline Gray and three other Colorado women could be big players at the 2016 Rio OlympicsWhen people ask Missy Franklin for her thoughts about the Summer Olympics that will begin a year from Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, she hangs a warning label on her answer.